Jacob Perreault, Alex Limoges Lead Gulls To Season-High Six-Game Point Streak
Mar 22, 2022By AJ Manderichio/SanDiegoGulls.com
The San Diego Gulls remained unbeaten in regulation against the Henderson Silver Knights, defeating their Pacific Division foe 3-1 tonight at Pechanga Arena San Diego. The Gulls extended their point streak to a season-high six games (5-0-0-1) and earned seven of a possible eight points during their four-game series with the Silver Knights.
"(It’s) like the fourth game in a row against them so both teams were well-scouted, so I guess it came up to who wanted to win the most and we sure did today," Gulls defenseman Axel Andersson said. "We played physical and ended up with a win."
Jacob Perreault (2-0=2) and Alex Limoges (1-1=2) led the way offensively while Lukas Dostal stood tall in net, stopping 29-of-30 shots.
The win is a big one for the Gulls, who moved within three points of the sixth-place Silver Knights in the division standings. San Diego holds the seventh – and final – playoff spot in the division, seven points ahead of the eighth-place San Jose Barracuda.
Henderson took control early, withstanding two early San Diego power-play chances before Alan Quine buried a one-timer from the slot at 8:53 of the first period.
They would hold the lead for the remainder of the period, the second consecutive game the Silver Knights would carry a first-period lead into the locker room.
The middle frame belonged to Perreault, who scored twice to give the Gulls their first lead of the game.
His first came on the power play, tying the game at 3:33 of the middle frame.
Lucas Elvenes fed Limoges at Henderson's blue line, and the rookie forward charged ahead with the puck. He found a cutting Perreault, who dove to the ice to chip the puck on net. The puck slid through the legs of Henderson goaltender Dillon Kelley, finding his skate blade before sliding into the net before Perreault's 11th goal of the season.
"I think the first four or five shifts of the second kind of set the tone and said, ‘Okay, we’re in the game,'" Gulls head coach Joel Bouchard said. "Then I think that goalie made a good save on the other side in the first period and then we find a way to work around him so that was good."
His second of the game came in similar fashion, with the rookie finishing from in tight for his 12th goal of the season. Vincent Marleau started the play, sending Andersson into Henderson's zone on an offensive rush. The Swedish defenseman carried the puck down the side boards, firing a hard pass to the crease. Perreault beat the Silver Knights defender, deflecting the puck past Kelley to collect his second multi-goal performance of the season.
The response showed Bouchard a new level of determination from his young team.
"That’s why - it’s the growth that we’re looking for," he explained. "Meaning that, hey things happen. Just you know, a broken play, they scored a goal and I still think we had a good period. We got affected a little bit after, but I agree with you that at least we reset, we breathe and then we go back."
From there the Gulls shut down Henderson, denying Sven Baertschi’s game-tying power-play bid late in regulation. The Henderson left wing found himself open in tight, getting his stick down in time to chip the puck on net. Dostal met the chance, smothering the shot to get the whistle.
The Gulls penalty kill capped off an incredible series with yet another perfect night, going 3-for-3 against the Silver Knights. San Diego finished the four-game series a perfect 14-for-14 while shorthanded and have not allowed a power-play goal in the last six games (18-for-18).
"Well, you know we’ve got to play a certain way in front of Dos (Dostal) and give him a chance to see those pucks and there will be breakdowns, but when breakdowns happen, Dos was there, but I think the guys tried their best to play as well as they can in front of him," Bouchard explained.
Limoges would ice the game, sealing the win in the final minute of the game with an empty-net tally. Tempers flared right after the goal, as an inadvertent trip sent Limoges crashing into the end boards and the Gulls to the defense of their leading goal scorer.
The rookie forward extended his point streak to four games, with six points (2-4=6) over that span.
Helleson Makes American Hockey League Debut
The win also included the debut of Drew Helleson, the defenseman acquired by the Anaheim Ducks in last week’s trade with the Colorado Avalanche. The Farmington Hills, MN native signed his Amateur Tryout with the Gulls this morning and suited up for his first professional game tonight.
"Yeah, obviously first shift you kinda get the nerves out a little bit, but after that it felt good, you know," the 20-year-old defenseman explained following the win. "Just getting comfortable with the guys and with the pace. The guys are great, they’re super welcoming so it was kind of easy to make the adjustment and they are all helping me out to get used to it."
Helleson, a well-regarded prospect, arrived in San Diego after finishing his collegiate career with Boston College. He led Golden Eagles defensemen in points, and ranked second among team leaders in assists. The 6-3, 204-pound defenseman collected 9-37=46 points with a +26 rating in 82 career NCAA games with Boston College from 2019-22, leading team blueliners in scoring each of the last two seasons.
The former second-round selection (47th overall) by the Colorado Avalanche, Helleson represented Team USA at the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, recording one assist in three tournament contests.
"It’s been a crazy last week with the trade and then signing and then get down here," he said. "But I just want to help the team as much as I can. Whatever that is I’m here and I want to be part of that playoff push."
His role tonight included skating with defenseman Jacob Larsson. The two spent some time on special teams, with Helleson finishing his pro debut scoreless.
"Well, first it was to get a win, that was the most important thing," he said when asked about what he wanted to achieve in his first AHL game. "We got that done, thankfully. But just kinda getting used to it a little bit with the pace and this was my first pro game, so, you know, I kind of want to get it under my belt and I thought it worked out pretty well."